A/N: Hello everyone! I have FINALLY returned and I am determined to finish this story!
So, I'm not completely satisfied with this chapter, but I've kept everyone waiting way too long so I'm just gonna have to hope it's good enough. Be completely honest with me. Brutally honest. That is, if you review, which I hope you will.
Rynada, you raised a very relevent point that I myself had been thinking about. The kiss scene did come a little quick. I put it down to my own impatience. This chapter takes placeis a couple of weeks after the kiss.
IMPORTANT NOTE: I've written a May Day one shot that I'm posting on Sunday night. I hope everyone will read and review.
Love you all, Silverpistola x
Chapter 3
Love is a cruel deceiver. For it walks hand in hand with hope. From that night on, I recognised Love's glow in her eyes, despite her desperation to hide it. She was sullen with her Father, seemingly attentive in class and still complained that she was not allowed to study Philosophy with me. Yet the glow did not fade or flicker, only growing with every moment she spent with him, as brief as their time was. I blame myself, partly, for allowing them to be so foolish. I think of the maybe's, the possibilities, but they are futile wonderings. If only, if only I could have seen what would happen.
Zelda and Sheik had reached the steps to the village when she heard the shrill, familiar whistle.
"It's him," she whispered, unable to contain the smile that crept across her lips.
"Zelda, you mustn't," Sheik hissed.
The whistle sounded again, more urgent this time. Zelda laughed, delightedly, seemingly ignoring Sheik's warning.
"He's taking me to a temple," she whispered, her eyes sparkling.
"Zelda, please," Sheik pleaded.
"Don't worry Sheik. He'll take care of me."
She hugged Sheik tightly, whispering in his ear. "You're the only one who can understand."
Her smile, as she danced away to where Sheik knew Link was waiting, was enough for him to let her go.
"How can you possibly find your way through?" Zelda demanded, biting her lip.
Link held up his hand to silence her. Today he was dressed in a tunic of emerald green and his unruly golden hair was tied out of his face with a black ribbon.
"It occurs to me, that if people learnt to listen they would have fewer problems," he whispered, stepping towards one of the darkened passageways.
Tentatively, Zelda followed, closing her eyes. With a shiver, she noticed that the haunting music that had followed them through the lost woods was fading. She opened her eyes and saw they were stood in a large clearing with a gateway before them.
"Sacred Forest Meadow," she spoke, in awe.
"You've been here before?" Link asked, his face falling.
She shook her head, walking forward to the gateway. "I've only heard of this place in my studies. Few have ever made it though the woods before to see the meadow."
Link shook his head. "You have too much faith in knowledge, Zelda."
As she neared the gateway, he caught her wrist. "Wait. This place is not safe. When we pass through here, I am leading you into danger. Do you trust me?"
She didn't trust him and that was what made every moment spent with him exciting and exhilarating. Beyond the gateway she could see shadows lurking in the narrow passageways.
"What do I have to lose?" She answered, not wanting to lie to him.
She'd expected him to pursue an answer to his question, yet he simply unsheathed his silver dagger and brushed his hair behind his ears.
"Stay close and be alert. I have only once been attacked here," he assured her.
The silence was thick as they entered the maze of greenery. Link moved like a predator, the muscles beneath his tunic tensed, like a coiled spring. The quiet seemed menacing to him.
"Link, what will happen when someone discovers our friendship?" Zelda asked out of the blue.
Link froze. "Why would you ask that?"
"Because… because someone will. Eventually," she whispered.
"Must we talk about this now?"
Zelda opened her mouth to answer, but Link was on the move, picking up his pace so she had to hurry to catch up with him. She was about to call out to him when they turned a corner and emerged in a field. Zelda gasped in delight.
"Oh Link," she spoke in hushed wonder.
Tiny fireflies bumbled along in the dim light, fluttering around Zelda's head. In the centre of the field was an old, gnarled tree with vines snaking down the length of its trunk. Zelda glanced up and a saw a railed platform just beyond the tree's highest branches that had to be the entrance to the temple.
All was still and silent, yet the air seemed to crackle with a dormant magic.
Link had sank down to sit on a tree stump. She knew he was angry with her and his silence frightened her.
"Link?"
His hair hung like a curtain over his face. "Do you like it?" he asked, quietly.
She took a step toward him. "Yes."
"I found this place the day after I met you. I'd gotten talking with the young man in the apothecary. He told me about the lost woods and the temple rumoured to lie in the heart of the labyrinth."
"Have I angered you?" She whispered.
Despite the shadows cast over his eyes, she could see his lips turn downward in a frown.
"What angers me, is the world we live in. It is not you that hurt me, Zelda, only the truth in your words."
If she had been looking to him for hope, her faith was shattered.
"What are we to do then?" she asked, finally.
Link stood, catching her hand and leading her to the tree.
"Don't worry, they can hold you," he said, softly, pointing to the vines.
She felt his presence underneath her as she climbed, reassuring and protective. As they reached the top branch, he leapt across to the balcony, fearlessly, before holding out his hand to her.
"Don't be afraid."
He caught her around the waist as she jumped and she grabbed his shoulders to keep from falling. She was breathless and dizzy, but he held her tightly, gazing down into her eyes.
"Trust me yet?" He asked with a bemused smile.
She smiled and laid her head on his shoulder. "I don't want this to end."
He kissed the crown of her head.
"We can't waste our time together."
The minutes slipped away like sand through their fingers. As the sun began to lower, Link looked up and frowned.
"We should leave. Sheik will be waiting for you."
Distant loud voices drifted through the courtyard as Zelda and Sheik approached the doors to the castle dining room. They emerged in the narrow room and found Impa waiting for them.
"Is that Father?" Zelda asked. "Who is he arguing with?"
Impa frowned. "Talon is complaining about the travellers again. Your Father seems to have had quite enough of his opinions, it seems."
"Really?" Zelda cried, turning to look at Sheik with wide eyes. She broke into a run, heading for the King's study.
"Until I have proof that they are disturbing the peace, I see no reason why I should move them. In fact, I've had reports that their presence has increased trade and some of their youth have become invaluable on the village work site."
"Harkinian, you can't possibly-"
"King Harkinian if you don't mind. I believe that settles the matter Talon. Good day."
Talon emerged from the study, his face flushed and his eyes blazing. This wouldn't be the last they heard from him. Once he was out of earshot, Zelda knocked on the door, tentatively.
"Come in."
Her Father was standing with his back to her, hands clasped behind his back as he gazed out the window over Hyrule field.
"Father?"
"Yes?"
"I overheard you speaking with Malon's Father."
"Hmph! Eavesdropping is not ladylike, Zelda."
She ignored this comment. "I just wanted to say… thankyou. For defending the travellers."
The King was silent for a while, before speaking quietly.
"If there is any trouble from them, I will be forced to move them."
"I understand."
He sighed, heavily, and Zelda was struck suddenly with the heavy responsibility of his position.
"You reminded me of something Zelda. As royalty, we have a responsibility to our people. All of our people, not just the wealthy minority. In everything we do, we must have a utilitarian attitude. The greatest happiness of the greatest number. Remember that, my daughter."
He turned to look at her. Other Fathers and Daughters might have embraced or shared a tender moment, but Zelda had learnt from a young age that first and foremost she was a pupil and then a daughter. And so she took his wisdom like a pupil, with a silent nod and a respectful bow as she retreated.
"A utilitarian attitude?" Sheik repeated, incredulously. "Clearly your father never studied Philosophy or he would be aware that utilitarianism is theamongst the mostprimitive theories of ethics."
"Sheik please, I didn't tell you this to hear you criticise my Father."
Sheik stopped, his crimson eyes narrowing. The air was cold that morning, bringing with it a sharp sense of clarity and reality.
"I think he was right. I do have a responsibility. And it's because of that responsibility that I have spent my life training, learning, growing. To be a leader. To effect change."
Sheik's expression was wary and sceptical. "What are you telling me Zelda?"
She bit her lip. Saying the words aloud would make her intentions real.
"That all of this must end. Soon I shall be eighteen and expected to take on my royal duties. There is no more time for idle daydreams."
Sheik took a step back from her. "Idle daydreams?"
"Yes. You and I both know that is all they are."
"No, Zelda," Sheik answered, firmly. "That is what everyone would want you to believe."
"Sheik-"
"Don't try to mollify me Zelda. You would dare stand before me and tell me everything I believe in is a daydream. I see now, that you are no longer my childhood friend, you are now only," he paused, hoping his words would hurt her, cut her like she had cut him, "another Princess."
He didn't stop to watch the tears well in her eyes. He could not hear her if she cried out to him. His fists were clenched as he walked away, knowing that she would not follow and not wanting her to.
"Zelda? What is it that troubles your heart?" His voice was infinitely kind as he searched her eyes.
They were sat by the Zora's waterfall watching the steady flow of the water as it progressed through the valley. Link's hand was wrapped around hers. It was all like a dream, so wonderful and yet all Zelda could hear were Sheik's angry words.
"What do you think of me?"
Link's brow furrowed and familiarity of the gesture stirred her heart.
"Is this a test? Is there a right answer?"
"I don't know. I just wondered."
He studied her, his eyes roaming from her eyes to her lips before drawing back to take in her face as a whole. "I think you are pure of heart. My people would profess to be able to tell your future with a mere glance of your palm."
"Can you?" she asked.
He shook his head. "Would you have wanted me to?"
The vision of her Father stood with his back to her drifted into her mind. The greatest happiness of the greatest number. It would cause her Father great pain to learn of her love for a gypsy boy. And it would shame the Royal Family.
Her hand fluttered to Link's face and she traced his jaw line, his cheekbone, his lips. "I'm falling in love with you Link."
It was the first time she had seen his face break into a true smile. His blue eyes shone and twinkled with a spark she had never seen. It broke her heart.
"To hear you speak it… my life is complete," he whispered, nuzzling her cheek, tenderly.
She tried to pull away, but his mesmerising eyes had gathered her into their depths and held her.
"Why do you tell me of your feelings now?" His voice had tensed.
"Because…" Her voice broke as she threatened to break down. "Because I cannot see you again."
He did not fly into the passionate rage she had imagined, though now she thought of it this would have been most uncharacteristic. Instead his eyes narrowed, much like Sheik's had.
"Tell me what has changed. Did you feel this way yesterday?"
Oh if only she could lie to him, comfort him with cruel words.
"No," she murmured, "yesterday I thought only of our time together. But it is impossible. If we are found out you will be executed and I… I will be forced to endure my Father's shame."
Link had stood. "And my love is not worth the risk, not worth your Father's pain?"
"Are you asking me to choose?" She asked, getting to her feet also.
"Haven't I all along?"
His question stung and she blinked away sudden tears.
"The greatest happiness of the greatest number," she whispered.
Now his eyes blazed and she detected a spark of anger in the way he tossed his head.
"And our happiness, Zelda? Is that worth nothing?"
The water seemed to be flowing, faster and faster beneath them and Zelda suddenly felt light-headed. Perhaps if she fainted she would fall into the powerful waters. Perhaps Link would dive after her and they would beswept alongto a faraway land.
"Is this what you want?"
He loomed over her, staring down at her with those eyes that had glittered in the sun the first day they had met. Now they did not glitter, but darkened with a discomforting intensity.
"This is how it must be."
She had expected him to walk away, just as Sheik had or maybe attempt to shake her from this agony that clutched her. Anything but what he actually did.
Which was kiss her.
Kiss her, exquisitely and tenderly. He swept her into his arms holding her tightly against his chest and released all his longing into her. His kiss spoke soft words in her ear, the words she had been waiting to hear so real that she wondered if he really did say anything as they parted. But he did. He said what he knew would hurt her most, would keep her from erasing them from her memories. He spoke the words that would burn his name onto her heart, forever.
"I love you Zelda."
And then he was gone, shifting with ease into the increasing shadow, leaving Zelda to sink to her knees and finally release the anguish she had bottled away.
Yet it would not come. She knelt, preparing herself for the sobs she felt sure would shake her entire body, but not one came.
Instead her fingers brushed her lips and she turned to search the darkness for any fleeting sign of him.
But she saw nothing. Not even the flash of red.
